Spirometric Values of petrol pump workers of Lahore: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Petrol pump workers are exposed to air pollution and fumes of petrol and diesel that may lead to poor lung function followed by chronic diseases, where the city is highly polluted. Aim: To determine lung functioning capacity by spirometry among petrol pump workers Methods: A cross sectional study was designed and conducted in the pulmonology department of Mayo, hospital Lahore. Two seventy five (275) subjects were enrolled in the study after fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria and giving informed consent by consecutive sampling. Information like name, age, weight, height, duration of working was recorded. Spirometry was performed to calculate FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Mean and standard deviation of age, height, weight, and work duration, Spirometric values for lung functions (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC Ratio) were calculated. Data was divided into groups by age and work duration and spirometric values for lung functions were compared in these groups. T test & Pearson correlation was used for analysis and p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Participant age was 28.75±6.89.FEV1 was2.35±0.44, FVC 3.18±0.66 and FVC 74.91+9.40. FEV1 & FEV1/FVC ratio were significantly different (p<0.05) in age groups (<30, ≥30) & work duration groups(<8, ≥8yeras). Negative Correlation was found between work duration & lung functions (FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio). Conclusion: Spirometric values were lower in petrol pump workers. Age and working duration further affects lung function of petrol pump workers. Keywords: FVC, FEV1, Spirometer, Petrol Pump Workers, Pulmonology